By Jordan Sigler

Copyright newsweek

There was an understandable level of excitement in Chapel Hill when Bill Belichick took the North Carolina head coaching job in the offseason. Belichick won six Super Bowls as the head coach of the New England Patriots.

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However, the results have been poor through Belichick’s first five games with the Tar Heels.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA – SEPTEMBER 20: Head coach Bill Belichick of the North Carolina Tar Heels reacts in the first half of a game against the UCF Knights at FBC Mortgage Stadium on September 20, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

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North Carolina is 2-3 as they get set to play 4-2 California on Friday night. The Tar Heels were criticized by a college football coach last week for seeking out Group of 5 talent in the transfer portal, and they didn’t look like a competitive ACC program on Saturday when Clemson defeated North Carolina 38-10.

On Tuesday, Pete Nakos of On3 reported intel on coaches who are “under pressure” to win for the remainder of the season. Nakos listed Belichick as a potential firing if North Carolina decides the $30 million buyout is worth trying to put a disaster behind the program quickly.

“Through five games at Chapel Hill, the Bill Belichick experience has not gone as planned,” Nakos wrote. “The Tar Heels are 2-3 and have yet to beat a Power Four team. The Tar Heels rank 128th in points per game out of 136 FBS teams. Belichick’s contract is guaranteed through Dec. 31, 2027. If North Carolina lets him go without cause, they owe him whatever’s left on that $30 million.

“What comes next for Belichick and North Carolina is uncertain. Belichick could return for a second season and spend more cash in the transfer portal. The Super Bowl champion head coach could also choose to exit after a season, or the Tar Heels could decide to pay the buyout.”

The outlook for North Carolina isn’t promising for the rest of the regular season, and the program is a long shot to make a bowl game based on their play so far. UNC’s only wins came against Group of 5 program Charlotte and Richmond, an FCS program.

The Tar Heels have been outscored 120-33 in their three contests against Power 5 teams, a bad sign for a program that has seven more in-conference games to play.

For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.